If you are a Christian, you have 6 new brothers and sisters!

Last night, I had the amazing opportunity to speak at a high school camp. To be honest, I really didn't know what to do. I was given the topic of "Relationships: Friends and Peers." Being 20 years removed from my teenage years and not having too many fond memories of those years, I struggled with how to connect with them. I kept thinking that these young people don't even know who I am or anything about me. I prayed and thought and prayed and thought, and I came to the conclusion that I need to be honest with them. Honest about myself, honest about life, and honest about who Jesus is.

God blessed me with an idea. I spoke about what it means to be a true friend, and what it means to be a false friend. True friends tell you what you need to hear even at the cost of your friendship. False friends will tell you what you want to hear, especially if it is to their advantage. As I was speaking, God reminded me of two friends that I had in Arkansas. I spoke about how I treated both of them, and that to one of them, I had never really been a true friend. I never told him about how much Jesus loved him. At the young age of 16, he took his life leaving a note behind that said nobody loved him. All I had to do was tell him that Jesus loved him, and he still might be with us today.

Well, God moved in the service, last night. I am so excited to report that 6 young people came forward and accepted Christ as their personal Lord, and Saviour. I am giving God thanks today because of His patience with me, His love for me, His grace and mercy for those young people and for me, and His trust in me to present His message to a hurting nation here in Paraguay. I am thanking each and every one of you for this opportunity, as well. Without your prayers and support, I would not have had to opportunity to witness, first-hand, God's saving grace upon the lives of our new brothers and sisters.

Blessings to you,

Charley